Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh):- The Indian Space Research Organisation on Tuesday began a 24-hour countdown for the launch of the LVM3-M6 rocket. This rocket will carry America's next-generation communication satellite 'Bluebird Block-2' into space. Under this commercial mission, ISRO will launch its heaviest launch vehicle LVM3-M6 from the second launch pad in Sriharikota at 8.54 am on Wednesday.
Ahead of the launch, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan offered prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala and prayed for the success of the mission.
Weighing 6,100 kg, the satellite is the heaviest payload ever in the history of the LVM3 rocket to be placed in ‘Low Earth Orbit’. The mission is part of an agreement between ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Limited and US-based AST SpaceMobile.
The main objective of this satellite is to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones around the world. This technology will help in making 4G and 5G voice calls, video calls and data streaming available anytime and anywhere.
The 43.5-metre-tall LVM3 rocket is a three-stage rocket, which is equipped with a cryogenic engine developed by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
About 15 minutes after launch, the Bluebird Block-2 satellite will separate from the rocket. The satellite has a 223 square meter phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever launched into low-orbit space. AST SpaceMobile previously launched five satellites in September 2024 and is now working with more than 50 mobile operators around the world to further strengthen its network.